Microsoft Opens "Xbox Entertainment Studios" In Los Angeles

Nancy Tellem, Microsoft's entertainment and digital media president, today revealed the formation of Xbox Entertainment Studios, a new Los Angeles-based studio that will create interactive content and oversee interactive live events for Xbox and other devices.

Tellem spoke at today's D: Dive into Media summit about the future of Microsoft's vision for consoles and TV. "We believe that we are at the start of the next wave of truly interactive entertainment," she said. "When I worked in traditional TV, we would find ourselves saying things like 'Wouldn't it be cool if we could add an interactive aspect directly into the show and engage directly with the viewers?' With Xbox, that is possible today."

Microsoft highlights Kinect Sesame Street TV as an app that blurs the lines between traditional television and gaming, and lists Xbox 360's handling of the Grammy Awards and 2012's presidential election as interactive television successes.

Tellem hopes Microsoft can "pioneer the future of TV." Microsoft plans to release over 40 new voice-controlled TV and entertainment apps in 2013.